VOLUNTEERS

What do I need to bring for registration?

We need a copy of your passport (printed or on your phone) for insurance purposes, and your booking confirmation (printed or on your phone).

What else should I bring for my volunteer program?

As you will be working outside in hot weather, we recommend to bring clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, closed toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and if you are prone to sunburn a couple of long sleeved shirts for extra protection. We provide one volunteer shirt upon arrival as well as wellie boots, socks and umbrellas in case of rain. Chilled, purified water is also provided throughout the program.

If I made a booking with transportation, where should I wait for the driver?

At your hotel’s lobby.

What time and where is the check-in on the first day?

It’s between 3 and 8pm at our Meeting Point in Paklok. After registration our team will take you to your accommodation which is just a few minutes away. If you plan to arrive earlier or later, please let us know in advance.

What time is check-out on the last day?

Check-out time from your accommodation is at 1pm, and the volunteer program finishes at 5pm. You can leave your luggage at the meeting point.

Can I drive into the sanctuary?

No, you can’t. There is strictly no public access to the sanctuary for safety and insurance purposes, and also as we have free roaming elephants. Please meet at our Office in Paklok, and you will be transported to the sanctuary in our vehicles.

How far in advance do I need to book?

We are booked up in advance, usually one week in advance or for high season (Dec - April) up to two weeks. As soon as you know the date you wish to visit, please book.

What food do you serve?

We serve a delicious home made Thai vegetarian/vegan buffet. Should you have any special dietary requirements please advise our staff on arrival and they will inform the kitchen. Should you join our three day or one week volunteer programs, the first meal will be served on Monday morning. You will enjoy breakfast snacks, lunch and dinner at the sanctuary on every working day.

Where will I be staying?

Should you join our three day or one week volunteer programs, we provide private accommodation a few minutes from our meeting point and offices. You will have your own airconditioned accommodation with a bedroom, bathroom, fridge and complimentary WiFi. There is a restaurant at the lobby as well as a 7/11 and some local restaurants in walking distance.

How do I get to the sanctuary and back every day?

Our team will pick you up at 8.30am in the morning and drop you back at 5pm.

Is any experience required to join the volunteer programs?

We do not require any previous volunteer experience as long as you are a passionate animal lover with a keen interest in wildlife. If you're 18 years or older, physically fit, enthusiastic and able to work as part of the team in the hot Thai humid climate whether rain or sun - volunteer!

Animal Welfare

Why do you have shelters for the elephants?

All our elephants were either born in captivity or have lived in captivity for up to 60 years prior to their rescue and relocation to Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. Unfortunately, they never had a chance to experience life in the wild and lived alongside humans for decades.

Because we do not have an elephant-proof fence around our 30-acre sanctuary, there is a risk that the elephants may wander off to nearby villages and farms, which potentially could lead to a human-wildlife conflict. This is why the elephants have a dedicated mahout to look after them while they explore the sanctuary. These mahouts are the keepers of the elephants, and they have a very special relationship with them that is based on love and trust. The mahouts feed the elephants, and guide them if necessary to ensure that the elephants do not leave the safety of our sanctuary.

At nighttime when the mahouts are sleeping, and also for a short time around noon, the elephants spend time in their large chain-free shelters with lots of food and water.

Why do you lead the elephants into the water?

Hydrotherapy plays an important role in the recovery and rehabilitation of our elephants. Older elephants and those with leg injuries stand 24 hours a day, even while sleeping, as they do not have the strength to get back up once they lay down.

Being in the water helps the elephants balance their weight and relieve their tired muscles. We have a natural lake and several streams with fresh water from the nearby Bang Pae waterfall, as well as a dedicated hydrotherapy pool that we built for our oldest elephants who can’t step into the lake anymore.

As many of our elephants lived in trekking camps or shows without access to natural lakes for their entire lives, we lead them into the lake and pool using positive encouragements during their first months at the sanctuary. After a while the elephants understand the healing effects of being in the water and wade into the lake without encouragement.

Guests often have a chance to see the elephants enjoy time in the water, and it is one of the highlights of a visit to Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.

Why do you not offer bathing or mud bathing with the elephants?

Elephants love to swim, cool off and splash in the water, and to cover themselves with thick mud. They like to do so alone or with fellow elephants. However, if people crowd around or interact with them during this bathing ritual, it becomes stressful for the elephants, preventing them from displaying their natural behavior.

To give the elephants the privacy they need and to enjoy their day as much as you, we built an Observation Sala overlooking our fresh water pond, from where you can witness the elephants enjoying their bathing time alone or with fellow elephants. This is a great photo opportunity and educational experience as you can observe the elephants behave naturally.

We do offer a brief interaction between visitors and our elephants during a feeding program at the beginning of the tour. This is a rare opportunity to get up close with the elephants and to capture some incredible photographs as they enjoy a few watermelons, pineapples, bananas or cucumbers.